Automatic stopping device for spreaders and drawing frames



F. G. PECK Sept. 12, 1933.

AUTOMATIC STOPPING DEVICE FOR SPREADERS AND DRAWING FRAMES 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 20, 1931 fi'ederz'c' i'fcg fz ATTORNIY I Sept. 12, 1933. F. a. PECK 1,926,957

AUTOMATIC STOPPING DEVICE FOR SPREADERS AND DRAWING FRAMES Filed Oct. 20, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jig. 2.

495 h! 4? 43. m .34, I t: 6 37 33 ATTOR NIY F. G. PECK Sept. 12, 1933.

AUTOMATIC STOPPING DEVICE FOR SPREADERS AND DRAWING FRAMES Filed Oct. 20, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F. e. PECK 1,926,957

AUTOMATIC STOPPING DEVICE FOR SPREADERS AND DRAWING FRAMES Sept. 12. 1933.

Filed Oct. 20, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 fFeaerz'a 41 F396 J Patented Sept. 12, 1933 PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC STOPPING DEVICE FOR SPREADERS AND DRAWING FRAMES I Frederic G. Peck,

Application October 20,

10 Claims.

The object of this invention is to provide an automatic stop and tripping device for hard fiber hackling machines, and it may be stated that a movable conductor ortrumpet has heretofore been used on so-called soft fiber machines, but is not practicable on hard fiber machines, as the sliver processed is very heavy, and would set up such a violent agitation of the trumpet that the machine would be inoperative. In -fact so far as known the floating trumpet has been discarded.

' It has been found that a moving trumpet which relies for its action upon the tension of the sliver, tends to weaken any naturally weak spot in the sliver, to a greater extent. True, it shuts the machine off when this weak spot comes through, but, herein lies the source of trouble. The weak spot must be taken out, and the sliver spliced by an operator. This causes a loss of timeand reduces production, and the discarded material must be reprocessed. The losses are so great that cost of production would be prohibitive today. Instead of processing materials three or four times in these delicate machines as it was done in times past, the method now followed is to process material in large capacity machines, handling large robust sliversfand to so process it, from eight to twenty times, relying on the additional workings to even up the sliver, rather than rely on devices formerly used.

Breakage in these robust slivers is infrequent, the chief source of trouble' being a bunching-up action in the conductor or trumpet, due to thick spots or snarls, lumps etc. It is to overcome this trouble that I designed the present device, primarily for use on hard fiber machinery, which handles such fibers as abaca, sisal,'maguey and New Zealand fibers. These fibers contain numerous knots, some of which are from bands of fiber used in tying hanksof fiber inthe raw state, but some are caused by tangled fiber.

'None of the prior devices isso'constructed as to shut off the'machine should material bunch in the conductor.. If thishappened, the tension between the calender rolls and the trumpet would be increased, and instead of;the trumpet rocking upward or back, and actuating the trip device it would tendto be drawn down or forward and the machine would operate until such time as an operator could shut it down. So long as the tension was held in this manner,.m aterial' could pile up, and lap around the rolls etc., without hindrance, and Without shutting of! the machines.

Under the processing of today, it has been found necessary to deliver, the sliver .slack to the Los 'Angeles, Calif.

1931. Serial No. 569,962

calender rolls, without tension. To deliver sliver under tension causes excess breakage and waste, the weaker fibers being broken and short lengths dropping out. Delivering the sliver slack through the conductor doubles or folds it over itself, turning in the ragged edges and producing a smooth sliver, which does not have protruding from itthe ragged ends of fibers. This action is obtained by the trumpet sides.

The sliver, when used in the next machine, delivers no doubled back fibers as does the ragged sliver, and; does not contain short, broken. pieces of fiber. As the whole process is in an endeavor to render the fibers parallel, if ragged sliver is used, so many fibers are doubled and looped back that a good portion of the work is undone.

The operation of the movable trumpet trip depends on tension being on the sliver between the drawing rolls and calender rolls, or between the trumpet and calender rolls. If this tension is eliminated, for the reasons given above, then the trip has no basis on which to operate.

The object of the present machine is to provide a simple and eiiective construction which willoperate automatically for discontinuing the .80 drive when an unusual condition of the type i.n-- dicated occurs in the production of the sliver, and to provide means-for determinig the leigth of the coil or the like, and stopping the machine when the' desired length has been attained,- whereas substantial variation in length has occurred in connection with much or the equipment available to the manufacturer, and employed in his plant.

A further object is to provide a device the principals-oi which may be adapted to machines '01 different kinds, although suitable for handling material of the character under consideration.

Withthe foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction and operation, herein disclosed, and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, it bemg understood that modifications or alterations may be made within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

' In the aforesaid drawings,

Figure 1 is a view of the machine in elevation, from the left. in Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of that part of K the machine under consideration, and looking from the right in Figure 1;

"Figure 3 perspective view, with portions dotted, and showing the operation of the belt-shifting bar by a rock shaft the position of which is determined by the automatically operated devices described below;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing two positions of the weighted lever by means of which the belt-shifting bar is in part operated;

Fipure 5 is a detail view showing the cooperation between the element on the vertical bar of Figs. 3 and 6 and the crank end of the small trans. lerse rod or shaft of these views,-the vertical :iar being rotatable through a predetermined angle:

Figure 6 shows the vertical bar in elevation, the pins on the bar being subject to engagement with V-slots to produce partial rotation of the bar and determine the relative position of the members carried by or adjacent to the lower end of the bar;

Figure 7 is a detail in section, on Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a detail view, in section, on line 8--8 of Figure 7.

The drive is through the belt 10 and pulley A wheel 11, and through the train of gearing shown in the drawings which includes the shaft 12, and elements 13, 14, 15, 16 elements 14 and 15 being rigid with shaft 15' or otherwise mounted for rotation together, and gear wheel 16 being rigid with shaft 17 having a worm 18 thereon. The

gearing is to be proportioned to give any reduction in speed desired, in connection with worm 18 which slowly rotates wheel 20, and the latter carries a pin 21 (Fig. 1) for engaging a shoulder I 22 formed by notching plate 23 of Figure 3. The

wheel 20 may make one revolution for every 600 to 1800 yards of the material produced. (If several notches are formed in plate 23, it may be lifted one step during each revolution of the 1 wheel, and after the upper limit is reached, the

mechanism described below will operate to stop the machine.- Temporary retaining means for bar 24 would be released at the proper time.)

Plate 23 is carried by vertical rod 24 having upper and lower pins 25, 25 in the approximate positions shown in Figure 6, and this rod 24 is vertically slidable and rotatable in bearings 26, 26' each having a V-shaped slot therein with one inclined wall,the slots being designated 27, 27'. The inclined walls effect partialrotation of the rod. in reverse directions, when the adjacent pinsmove into the respective slots.

. A foot member 30 extends laterally from the lower portion of rod 24, and rotation of the rod when raised (in View of engagement of 25 at 27), will move member 30 over crankend 32 of small transverse shaft 33. Spring 34 properly mounted maintains the normal position of Figure 6. Rotation of rod 24 and the resulting movement of plate 23 will move shoulder 22 from pin 21 of wheel 20 when the product has reached the length desired, and rod 24 will drop foot member 30 on to the crank end 32 of shaft 33 and cause the larger crank 36 of the shaft to engage the handle, pin, or free end portion of a weighted arm or lever 37 carried loosely on rock shaft 38. This shaft has rigidly mounted thereon a crank arm 39 having pin and slot connection at 39' with belt-shifting bar 40, the latter being connected with the frame by a tension spring 40', and the bar when released being thrown by .the spring and discontinuing the drive. (Dog 45 was released at the proper time by the impact of pin 37' of lever 37, as indicated below.)

It will be observed that-bar 40 mounts a fork, frame, or loop member 41, for shifting belt 10 line 7-7 of .37 extends through slot 44 latter being pinned to shaft 38, and the lever from pulley wheel 11 to idle pulley wheel 11, whereby the drive is discontinued at the termination of a predetermined run, or when an emergency cut-off is to be effected.

If the -fiber bunches or piles up so that plate 53 is lifted, the machine is stopped by the mechanism now to be described. Shaft 38 carries a notched wheel 44 engaged by dog 45, for holding the elements associated with the shaft in the position of Figure 3. Rod or shaft 46 mounted at 47 has a crank end 48 engaged by spring 49 connected with arm 49' on shaft 33, and this shaft 46 also has a crank arm 48 supporting a counterbalance weight 50. The latter cooperates with spring 49 in maintaining a predetermined position of shaft 46 and the associated elements. The lifting of plate 53 by bunched fiber or sliver will rock shafts 46 and 33, and throw lever 37, causing arm 37' to release dog 45 from wheel 44, and thereafter spring 40' shifts the driving belt 10 to the loose pulley wheel 11", thereby effecting an emergency stop. l

. Upon making an emergency stop, shaft 33 is rotated to position where crank and 36 throws rotated (after engagement at 30, 32), because bar 4 24in descending will cause pin 25' thereonto engage the inclined wall of slot 27'. Elements .32 and 80 are. now out of vertical alinement, and the original condition is restored. Bar 24 will next be raised when wheel 20 has brought its pin 21' under shoulder 22 of plate 23 fixed on said ban-and this occurs when the next length of the article or product being handled, has been produced. 4

Figures 7 and 8 show that a pin 44 in lever in element 44, the

being movable on the shaft through the angle permitted by the slot.;

- Slot 44 allows member 37 to drop freely through an are sufficient to knock the end of lever 45 from the notched portion of collar 44, and from that position onward the weight assists in rocking shaft 38 in a direction assisting spring 413' to produce the movement of bar 40.

One end wall of slot 44" supports the pin 44 which in. turn supports weight 37 and keeps it from moving to a point where pin 37 would slip over one end of member 45, or turn the latter end for end. The short end of lever-45 drops,

into the notch 01 collar 44 when the notched portion is in position to receive it.

Weighted lever 87 also serves as a device for shifting bar 40 from right to left, and in this operation weight 37 is brought through an are represented by the slot of Figure 8 before pin 44' contacts the wall of slot 44" effecting the movement of the shaft in a clockwise'direction.

Referring to general features of construction, it may be added that pulley wheel 13' on shaft 12 is a driving unit for a roving canin which the sliver is received after coming from the calender rolls. Shaft 12 has mounted on it a roller similarto roller 64 by means of which the apron belts are driven, and aprons 66 and 66"serve the usual purpose in this type of machine. Roller is the upper rotating element therefor.

Calender rolls are shown conventionally at 6'7, 68. The pointer 20 illustrated in Figure 1 is mounted on the axial element of wheel 20, and from the position of the pointer the operator may judge what part of a given length of the product has been completed, and how long the run will continue before pin 21 on wheel 20 reaches the position required to operate the automatic cut-off mechanism.

Rolls 68 of Figure 1 are on shaft 68 driven by pulley wheel 68 and belt 68a, the latter receiving' motion from pulley wheel 68b on shaft 12.

Operation and function Fiber being processed through spreaders, drawing frames, breakers or any type of fiber hackling machine, is hackled by the gill sheet or sheets. The material is drawn from the gill sheet by corrugated rolls, or rolls with leather facings or fibreboard facings, or by a series of rolls over which two endless leather belts run, gripping the fiber or sliver between them. This fiber is delivered in a sheet approximately of an inch to of an inch in thickness by one to two feet wide, and is run through a conductor or doubling plate, functioning much the same as a funnel, which folds the sliver into a strip approximately 2 inches wide by 2 inches thick or less. The calender rolls then receive it and deliver it to some type of container on the floor.

When applied to any of the above mentioned machines this automatic trip will shut off the machine when the material blocks or jams and ceases to flow through the machine in the proper manner. It protects that part of the machine which is the point of all ordinary blockades, where knots and snarls, and fiber tangles cause damage due to piling up of material.

The action of the trip, due to some obstruction between the calender rolls and aprons or drawing off rolls (when the fiber ceases to be delivered to the receptacle on floor) ,-said fiber or sliver piling up on the conductor or doubling plate,-will be to lift the trip plate, and through a series of levers and weights will stop the entire machine, ready for the operator to clear the blockade.

When applied to roller head machines, if the material piles up, due to a blockade, and starts to wrap around the top roller, the guard on the main trip will lift as the material wraps on the roller, stopping the machine through the medium of the main trip plate.

Another function of the trip as applied to roller head machines, is that if the material should for any reason (such as a rough roller or chipped roller) start to wrap around either top or bottom roller, or both, the guard on the main trip plate will be raised or depressed as the case may be, and will operate the levers controlling the cut-off device.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine of the class described, an element of a main driving mechanism, a rock shaft, means controlled by the shaft for connecting and disconnecting said element of the driving mechanism from a source of power, a device operable by an abnormal movement of fiber passing through the machine, and means movable initially by mechanical action and thereafter by gravity for imparting movement to the shaft under leverage in the direction required for disconnecting the driving mechanism, when the device operable by the movement of the fibre is rendered active.

2. A machine comprising the elements of claim 1, the means imparting movement to the shaft including devices automatically set in operation in the initial stage of movement and prior to gravity operation.

3. A machine comprising the elements of claim 1, and means including a vertical movable element operated at predetermined intervals and a transverse element rocked by the vertical element, and means rendered operative by the vertical and transverse elements for controlling the time during which the rock shaft is positioned for rendering the driving mechanism active.

4. A machine comprising the elements of claim 1, and cooperating weighted resetting means for restoring said elements to normal position, said initially operating mechanical means being reset by manual operation of the gravity means.

5. A machine comprising the elements of claim 1, and means preventing premature resetting of the elements for restoring the drive.

6. In a machine of the class described, a main driving mechanism, and means operable by an abnormal movement of fiber passing through the machine and operable uponthe termination of a predetermined interval of normal operation, for throwing out the driving mechanism, said means including a rotatable and slidable bar, devices through which the bar is periodically actuated by the driving mechanism, and devices controlled by said bar and operable when the bar is rotated and released from the actuating means, for cutting off the drive.

7. A machine comprising the elements of claim 6, said controlled device including means for restoring the drive when discontinued.

8. A machine comprising the elements of claim 6, and means including a crank like element and retaining mechanism therefor for preventing premature restoration of the drive.

9. In a machine of the class described, a device controlled by bunching movement of the fiber and adapted to be located near a doubling plate, constituting a conductor, main driving mechanism, and means operated by said fiber controlled device for throwing out the driving mechanism, said means including a rock shaft yieldingly held in a predetermined position, a second rock shaft, operated by the shaft first named, a weight controlled shaft operated by the second shaft, and a device movable with the weight controlled shaft and connected with the drive.

10. A structure comprising the elements of claim 6, in which the means for throwing out the drive include a lever mounted off center and 

